The Red Sox and infielder Kevin Youkilis have agreed to a four-year contract, according to multiple media outlets. The deal, which buys out Youkilis’ last two years of arbitration eligibility and first two years of free agency, would reportedly guarantee him about $41 million.

* Head-to-head records will replace coin flips when determining home-field advantage for tiebreaker games in division and wild-card races under a change to the major league rules approved by baseball owners.

* The Dodgers released center fielder Andruw Jones, 13 months after signing him to a two-year, $36.2 million deal.

* Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton said there’s a chance his surgically repaired left shoulder will prevent him from being ready to join the lineup on opening day.

* The Padres signed David Eckstein to a one-year deal to play second base. . . . Former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon will return to the White Sox for a second stint after agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract. . . . Mark Kotsay and the Red Sox agreed to a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $1.5 million.

NFL: Lions settle on Schwartz

The Lions, the NFL’s first 0-16 team, agreed yesterday on a four-year deal with Jim Schwartz to make him their next ccoach. The 42-year-old former Titans defensive coordinator will be introduced today at Ford Field.

Shigeki Maruyama took a step back from obscurity on the PGA Tour with a 5-under 65 in the wind and occasional rain yesterday for a one-shot lead in the Sony Open in Honolulu.

NCAA: Gators’ Harvin turns pro

Florida star Percy Harvin is taking his speed, elusiveness and durability concerns to the NFL. The junior playmaker said he is leaving school early to turn pro, but Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes will return for his senior season.